THIS is What 560 Looks Like!!!

Remember when I was tellin' ya last month how I was doing wedding invites for my BFF's daughter?? (which would make HER a BFF, too??) Remember how I showed ya how to do the "Hokey Pokey" with your FOOT while you were punching 560 belly bands (each band punched SEVEN times ... TIMES 560 = 3,920!!)??? Well, here is what I made ...

The bride and groom wanted to keep it relatively "clean and simple" (in the groom's words - NOT GIRLY!) ... this really doesn't look like much ... but it IS made out of two pieces (one of which I had to created a little tab for so that we could fold it up and close it up) ... and when you do each step 560 times it takes FOR.EV.ER!!



Here is what they looked like all boxed up ... such a happy sight!!! HOURS-HOURS-HOURS of labor/love went into these babies!! So happy they are done ... and so excited for Hannah and TJ!! It's almost here!! Next weekend!! YAY AND HOORAY!!

Figured this would be as good a thing as any to share with you for World Card Making Day (even though I'm posting it a day later!). I have some cute card sets I started working on yesterday (which makes THEM my OFFICIAL WCMD project!). I will post 'em when I get 'em done!).

Tschüss!

Stamps: NONE
Paper: Grey (unknown - bought at XPedX), Night of Navy
Ink: NONE
Accessories: EK Success Tulips Border Punch, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder

Sooo Many Choices!

I have a room full of toys, um ... tools. I have cardstock, punches, ribbon, diecutting equipment, embossing folders ... and, oh yeah ... stamps!! It represents years' worth of accumulated spoils. It is silly how, being an SU demo, that I get so focused on "new" or "current" product, that I can quickly forget the stuff that came before. I mean, seriously, just because it "retires" doesn't make it any less cool or beautiful, right??

And, let's face it ... I DO own a LOT of other stuff that isn't SU. I have finally decided to allow myself to use BOTH my retired SU goodies AND some stuff that might perhaps be made by someone else. GASP!! I know, I know ... that's why my BFF, JanTink, refers to as "rubbah-dultery." We ALL do it ... and I am not going to feel guilty about using stuff that I like ... so there ya have it!!

Here is a card with old stuff, new stuff and everything in between. I love my new "Seeing Spots" embossing folder. Nice big, juicy polka dots. I {{heart}} polka dots of ANY kind!! Too-too fun!! Did I mention that this is yet ANOTHER card I did for VSN over on SCS? I had WAAAYYY tooo much fun!! I did more different cards in less than 24 hours than I think I have EVER done in such a short time period.

It snowed a BUNCH here today ... sigh ... I'm still longing for blue skies, warm temps and shorts n' flip flops!!! Soon ....

Stamps: Beautiful Borders (retired)
Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Melon Mambo
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo
Accessories: 5-Petal Flower Punch, Word Window Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, Seeing Spots Embossing Folder, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, Diamond Lace Border Punch, Whisper White Satin/Organza Ribbon, Large Pearl Stickers

New Rubbah from ISC!

I am really excited to share with ya some of the new things Betsy over at Innovative Stamp Creations has, well, "created" for all of us!! I don't know about you, but I give away FAR fewer cards than I actually make (how sad!!)! I have SOOO many special people in my life who DESERVE a card or something nice, and I think I need to take more time to actually "spread the love" around to those who really need it. This first set, called "Friends are Special," is absolutely PERFECT for that!! I made this little notebook and matching pen that I KNOW would be a really great "thank you" to someone special in ANYone's life!! (Now I just have to decide WHO to give it to!!)

Stamps: Friends are Special by ISC
Paper: Certainly Celery, Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie
Accessories: Notebook, pen, EK Success Moroccan border punch, small oval punch, 5/8" Whisper White satin ribbon, dimensionals

And, believe it or not, vacation season is a-comin'!! This next set, simply called "Destinations," can help you make the most amazing projects (minibooks, travel logs/albums, etc.). I decided to make this quilted card with it. It was almost like being a little girl again as I tried to put all of the "puzzle" pieces together!!

Stamps: Destinations by ISC
Paper: Night of Navy, Real Red, Whisper White, Kraft
Ink: Night of Navy, Real Red, Whisper White
Accessories: Red/White striped grosgrain ribbon, buttons, white gel pen, glue dots

The last set that is being released this month is called "Time." It works UBER-well with the "Destinations" set (I couldn't resist using the map background again!) I always struggle with doin' the "guy" types of cards, but I think the images in this set really work well for that!!

Stamps: Travel AND Destinations by ISC
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Bordering Blue, Close to Cocoa, Night of Navy, Very Vanilla
Ink: Night of Navy, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Spellbinders Long Scalloped Rectangle Nestabilities - Large (S4-143), and Small Standard Circle Nestabilities (S4-116), Chocolate Chip felt ribbon, Tiny Bubbles Cuttlebug embossing folder, linen thread, 1/8" circle punch

Here are some links so you can see what the other ISC Creative Architects have done!

Kathy Tucker
Sabrina Jackson
Joanne Grzelak
Julie Warner
Karen Dunbrook


Be sure to tune in tonight for the Control Freaks Blog Tour. We are celebrating Spring and would love for you to join us!!!

Look What's New from ISC!

Here are some cards I created for this month's ISC (Innovative Stamp Creations) release. I had a LOT of fun creating with this lovely new stamps (c'mon, be honest ... who DOESN'T love playing with something NEW??)!

This first card was created with the stamp set I used in yesterday's post called "Eclectic Butterfly." And y'all KNOW how I feel about butterflies!! (For anyone not familiar with my, um, obsession with butterflies, see the "Follow the Butterflies" link and slideshows on the sidebar to the right!!)

This card seriously only took me about 10 minutes to put together. I LOVE it when something comes together quickly AND looks pretty good, too!

Stamps: Eclectic Butterfly by Innovative Stamp Creations
Paper: La Creme dsp by DCWV, Basic Black, Very Vanilla
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Spellbinders Classic Frame (S5-012), pearl stickers, black organza ribbon, pop-up glue dots

Moving on to set #2 ... Delicate Daisy!! WOWZA!! Totally LOVE this big, lovely daisy, don't you??? I had waaayyyy tooo much fun playing with this one!!

Since I am soooo ready for spring, it was fun to play with something, well ... spring-y!! Daisies are my FAVORITE flowers (no, seriously, even before Meg Ryan professed that in "You've Got Mail" ... they truly ARE a happy flower!). And who DOESN'T love greens and purples together??

Stamps: Delicate Daisy by ISC
Paper: Perfect Plum, Old Olive, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Perfect Plum
Accessories: Pearlescent Chalks (Jewel Tones) by Pebbles, Fleur de Lys border punch by EK Success, Tartan and Swiss Dots embossing folders by Cuttlebug, whisper white satin/organza ribbon, Sweet Pea felt leaves by SU, large oval punch, sponge

Which leads me to yet ONE more daisy card ... I put a little bit of Crystal Effects in the centers of these babies, but, unfortunately, you can't see how cool it REALLY looks from the photo! (HATE it when that happens!)

Stamps: Delicate Daisy by ISC
Paper: Kraft, So Saffron, Night of Navy, Whisper White
Ink: Night of Navy, So Saffron
Accessories: Stylized Flowers embossing folder (Cuttlebug), small oval punch, modern label punch, pearl stickers, white polka dot organza ribbon, navy organza ribbon, Crystal Effects, paper piercing tool/mat, pop-up glue dots

And can ya stand ONE more??? I'm not quite sure where I was goin' with this layout (kinda funky with those "polka dots" don'tcha think??), but I DO love these Dandelion images. I also have always had a "thing" for dandelions ... okay, okay, I KNOW they are a .... dare I say it?? ... they are a WEED! But, admit it - y'all LOVE to blow on these and make a wish, right?? And you STILL do it when no one is looking!! (you KNOW you DO!!)

Stamps: Dandelions and Netting by ISC
Paper: Mellow Moss, Blush Blossom, Very Vanilla
Ink: Mellow Moss, Blush Blossom
Accessories: Marvy double scallop corner punch, 3/4" circle punch, moss polka dot organza ribbon, blush blossom grosgrain ribbon, pop-up glue dots

Now, wouldn't ya LOVE to see what the other Creative Architects for ISC have done with these love stamps??? Well, check it out!!

Kathy Tucker
Connie McCotter
Sabrina Jackson
Joanne Grzelak
Julie Warner
Karen Dunbrook

With All My Love from ISC

Here are a couple of samples I made featuring a new stamp sheet from ISC called "With All My Love." I had soo much fun creating this card ... I have always had a weak spot for anything heart-shaped - I have been collecting heart-shaped jewelry items since I was a little girl, and I hate to admit how many stamp images I own that are hearts!! Seems we never get tired of them, eh?

Stamps: With All My Love by ISC
Paper: Soft Suede, Rich Razzleberry, Pink Pirouette, Very Vanilla, Whisper White, With All My Love Digi Paper by ISC (for the largest heart)
Ink: Rich Razzleberry
Accessories: Pinking Heart border punch (SU), Heart Punch (SU), Sizzix Damask embossing folder, Cuttlebug Spots and Dots embossing folder, rhinestones, linen thread, pop-up glue dots

And sample #2 ... I tried going for a more manly-man color combo, but I am afraid I couldn't stop myself from adding a bow ... so not as "dude-like" as I had planned. Sigh ...

Stamps: With All My Love by ISC
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Distressed Warmth Digi Paper by ISC
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White
Accessories: EK Success Fluer-de-Lys border punch, basic black grosgrain ribbon, Quickutz Retro Diamonds embossing folder, pop-up glue dots

And once again, you can check out the January New Releases at the following links:
I Heart for You!
With all My Love

And also don't forget to visit the ISC Blog. For even more inspiration and how each design was created stop by and each of the Creative Architects blogs:

Kathy Tucker
Connie McCotter
Sabrina Jackson
Joanne Grzelak
Julie Warner
Karen Dunbrook

Starting the New Year with something different…. introducing ISC Digi-Paper. A downloadable file!

With All my Love Digi Paper
Distressed Warmth Digi Paper

Have a great day!

Challenge Cards Again!

I really like doing "challenges" . . . challenges over on SCS, blog hop challenges . . . pretty much anything that helps me to get my creative juices flowing in a direction I may not otherwise have gone. These two cards are both from challenges over on SCS . . . one was last Friday, and the other was yesterday's Featured Stamper challenge.

I have been having way too much fun with my Cricut the last few weeks. I figure it is about time to start using my investment (and NO, I'm not EVEN gonna tell ya how many Cricut cartridges I own!!). I gathered dust for a little too long, but I am trying to get back into the swing of things with it! This card was for last Friday's LSC - LSC233, which I combined with last week's sketch challenge - SC241 (and we KNOW that I LOVE the LSC, since I get to hostess it every fourth or fifth week!). I made a card with this little crabby dude wearing shades waaayyy back in the day. The theme was to do a card that was a "goodbye to summer" sort of a deal. My fam spends several weekends every summer up at the family condo by Bear Lake (Utah/Idaho border). We have not known a summer in 25 years without the lake. We love it there. And while I have NEVER seen a crabby dude with shades (okay, well, maybe that guy who was sleeping on the beach and awakened when we shook off our sandy towels . . . HE was a crabby dude!! Can't remember if he was wearin' shades, though), we do spend many-an-hour building sand monsters, castles, creatures AND the Bear Lake Monster himself!! Good times!

Stamps: Crab and Company, Shore Thing, Summer Fun
Paper: Kraft (PTI ad Provo Craft), True Thyme, Soft Suede, Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, Bermuda Bay, Ruby Red, Very Vanilla
Ink: Basic Black, Soft Suede, Dusty Durango
Accessories: Cricut Life is a Beach Cartridge, modern label punch, word window punch, 1" circle punch, soft suede polka dot ribbon, paper distressing tool, clear embossing powder, versamark pen, pop-up glue dots

I was stopped DEAD in my TRACKS by Emily's (aka Stamp Muse - FS132) butterfly card that inspired my recreation here:

Butterfly Medallion by Emily

I used one of my fave butterfly dies on this one, too! I love how BIG and GORGEOUS it is!! And I would know about butterfly dies . . . and stamps . . . and doo-dahs, right???

Stamps: Medallion, Small Script
Paper: Basic Black, Summer Sun, glittery black, vellum, whisper white
Ink: Basic Black, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie
Accessories: Quickutz Monarch Butterfly Die, Interlaced Corner Adorner punch by EK Success, shimmery white organza ribbon, white polka dot Organza ribbon by May Arts, large oval punch, white embossing powder, brayer, dimensionals

STAY TUNED LATER THIS WEEK. THE FREAKS BLOG HOP IS COMING ON THURSDAY AND YOU WON'T WANNA MISS IT!! (Okay, sorry for shouting . . . I'm just excited, can't you tell???)

Where'd I Go????

Sorry for the long delay in posting . . . I have been out of town for a church youth retreat since Monday. I had so much to do before leaving that I didn't get time to put up my blog post, so I have some catching up to do!! (The retreat was GREAT fun, btw!)

Roxie Glaza (aka Rox71 on SCS) made this drop-dead GORGEOUS card last week for WT227 last week ("Seeing Double"). Roxie hostesses the sketch challenges every Wednesday and I have long been an admirer of her work:

Roxie's "Seeing Double

I knew IMMEDIATELY I wanted to try to make something like this, and what you see here is my not-quite-as-fabulous attempt. Her card was soooo pretty, and I had envisioned this to come out SO much cooler than it did . . . guess I need to practice!! Guess it didn't help that I did it for LSC229, which was to use either our high school colors (royal blue and yellow gold - fuhgetaboutit!) or our wedding colors (and mine were black and rose reddish).

I think I may have to try this a few more times before I come up with something I REALLY like!!

Stamps: Autumn Days, Great Friend, Wonderful Watercolors
Paper: Basic Black, Rose Red, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Rose Red, Regal Rose, Barely Banana, Pretty in Pink
Accessories: Photo turns, black polka dot organza ribbon, diamond scallop edge punch by EK Success, Spellbinders Labels One (S4-181)

Fathers . . .

I always make four Father's Day cards . . . one for my own dad (which I shared with you on Father's Day last Sunday), one for my husband, one for my father in law and one for my GRANDfather in law (who is 99 years old, by the way!).

Here are the rest of the cards I created this year . . .

These first two were for my husband and father in law. I knew as soon as I saw this new "Autumn Days" set in SU catty preview that I was going to own it, since fall is my favorite time of year. I cased myself, too. The layout on this first card is one that I have used often with Pocket Silhouettes (and you will be seeing it on a card I am going to share with y'all in the next few days). It's so much fun to create some designer-type paper with the foliage waving in the wind!

I honestly think I got some sort of border punch mistake, too! I got this border punch from my local Michaels. I have been GEEKING OUT over the new-style border punches since I saw them all at last winter's CHA in Anaheim. I had NEVER seen this one before!! I have even forgotten what it is called now. I can't find it on the 'net AN'ywhere (not even on EK Success' website!). Methinks I should go buy them all out and sell the on eBay for a ZILLION dollars each!! Not sure what is going on here. I also remember that there was ANOTHER one I saw there that I had never seen before, Can't remember what it looks like, exactly, but I probably need to go back and buy it. I wonder if Mike's got a shipment of the new stuff coming out at summer CHA by mistake??? Probably not, but I can dream, can't I?? (I seem to recall that it was named something kinda Middle-Eastern-ish . . . like Taj Mahal or something!)

UPDATE: I DID A TON OF RESEARCH (INCLUDING CALLING EK SUCCESS . . . THEY HAD NO CLUE!) AND FOUND THAT DARN BORDER PUNCH! IT IS CALL "MOROCCO LACE" . . .

I gave this card to my father in law. He is an interior designer/landscaper/art connoisseur/furniture maker-designer (our family owns a custom furniture/interior design business). He has impeccable taste, so I am always nervous/apprehensive about the cards that I give to him. No pressure THERE, I can tell ya!! (Hey . . . I can't draw/paint! That is why I STAMP!!)

Once again, I used the "Autumn Days" set, but I shook the layout up (this is an old sketch challenge from SCS that I tweaked a bit - SC195). I am also loving the new Modern Label punch. I can tell that I am going to be using that little baby a LOT!! It's pretty much AWESOME! These new In Colors also rock my world . . . I am going to run out of them before I even know it! Sheesh!!

Stamps: Autumn Days, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Soft Suede, True Thyme, Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry (on the second card), Very Vanilla
Ink: Soft Suede, Dusty Durango, Creamy Caramel
Accessories: Soft Suede Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Designer Label Punch, EK Success UNKNOWN-AND-FORGOTTEN-NAME border punch ("Morocco Lace"), Spellbinders Large and Small Deckled Rectangle Nestabilities (S4-201 and S4-202), Cuttlebug Leafy Branch and Houndstooth embossing folders, 1 3/8" circle punch, paper piercing tool/mat, Pop-Up Glue Dots

Last, but certainly not LEAST . . . this is the card I made for our dear, sweet 99-year-old Opa. We are so blessed that he is still a part of our lives!! I still had the sewing machine and Print Pattern stamps out, after I had used them to create an argyle background on my dad's card. I decided to make a little panel to put on this one, using the Cuttlebug Argyle embossing folder as a backdrop. A pretty non-complicated card, to be sure . . . thanks to my friend Kelly (Kelly H on SCS) for suggesting the color combo for me!!

Stamps: Print Pattern, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Baja Breeze, Blue Bayou, Not Quite Navy, Whisper White
Ink: Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Cuttlebug Argyle embossing folder, White Organza Ribbon, Wide Oval Punch, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Spellbinders Large Deckled Rectangle Nestabilities (S4-202), horizontal slot punch (to thread ribbon), paper piercing tool/mat, sewing machine, pop-up glue dots

#95 and #96 . . .

I have been making a LOT of cards this past week, and I am a bit behind in sharing them with you. Here are the last couple of butterflies I made . . .

This first one I did last Wednesday for SC233. Loved the sketch, but not sure how I feel about this card. My daughter says she quite likes it, but the jury is still out on it for me. I had envisioned something else totally when I started, and was running late for work and just feel like I kinda rushed it to completion. Sigh . . . we can't always love EVERYTHING we make, right?? And lucky for me that I ordered the Bermuda Bay ink pad before SU starting having issues with quality control!!

Stamps: Razzle Dazzle
Paper: Bermuda Bay, Melon Mambo, Pink Pirouette, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Melon Mambo, Bermuda Bay, Pink Pirouette, Basic Black
Accessories: Black grosgrain ribbon, Cricut Storybook cartridge (for butterfly), pearl stickers, glue dots

This second card, however, I do quite like. I did it yesterday for TLC226 - Faux Denim. Basically, you big a medium color of blue cardstock, use the coordinating ink pad and just rub the ink pad directly onto the cardstock, going back and forth, from end to end. Then, take a darker color and do the same. Finally, do it a third time with white craft ink. Turn the cardstock 1/4 turn and repeat the process. It is really actually kinda cool, but it did leave me with a very BLUE white craft ink pad!!

Stamps: Pocket Fun, Paisley bg, Martha Stewart butterflies, Everyday Flexible Phrases
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red, Very Vanilla, So Saffron, Barely Banana, Bordering Blue, More Mustard
Ink: Whisper White, Basic Black craft, Bordering Blue, Night of Navy
Accessories: EK Success Zig Zag border punch, brass brads, paper piercing tool/mat, pop-up glue dots

So, that officially makes these butterflies #95 and #96 in my "Follow the Butterflies" challenge (see the link and slideshow to the right for more info on that). I can't believe I only have EIGHT more to go!!

I have several more cards to share with you this week, so stay tuned over the next few days and I will try to catch up!!

Dear Dad . . .

I woke up this morning and the weather reflected exactly how I felt . . . dark, gray, with a sky full of tears.

As I look out the window now, the sun is peeking through patches of blue sky . . . reminding me that no matter how sad I feel without you today, the sun WILL shine, the birds WILL sing and we WILL be together again.

I love and miss you.

Happy Father's Day

Your loving daughter,

Wendy :)

Stamps: Print Pattern, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Short & Sweet
Ink: Soft Suede
Paper: Soft Suede, True Thyme, River Rock, Riding Hood Red, Ruby, Red, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Sewing machine, 3-heart punch, large and small oval punches, Spellbinders Small and Large Deckled Rectangles (S4-201 and S4-202), EK Success Zig Zag border punch, Cuttlebug "You" embossing folder, vanilla organza ribbon, pop-up glue dots

Yet Another Hinged Card . . .

This card is going to be a very QUICK "fly-by" . . .

I did this card for TLC222, where Lynn linked my tutorial for how to make these fun little gems! I knew I had to play! Since it was Memorial Day, I was feeling patriotic . . . hence the theme of the card . . .











And here it is opened up . . .

I am not sure exactly when I will post again, as I am in the hospital on a vigil with my family on behalf of my dad. His heart stopped yesterday (he has had heart troubles for many years), and they weren't able to get it started until they arrived at the hospital. We are currently awaiting neurological testing (which won't start until late tonight/early tomorrow) to see if there is significant brain damage, as we are not quite sure how long his brain went without oxygen. Sorry for the personal nature of this post . . . it is just that I appreciate all of you who follow/comment on my blog and I wanted to let you know WHY there may be a lag for a few days. There is an internet connection at the hospital, but for some reason my Mac is not playing nicely with it. I have a few more things I COULD share with you, just not sure I will be able to (I will be doing a lot of sitting/waiting/praying over the next several days, so I am sure if I can get the 'net to cooperate, I will have time to share something with you all).

Thanks to all of you for all of your encouragement and support in everything I do. You are terrific!!

Stamps: Everyday Classics by Papertrey and Patriotic Background by Rubbernecker
Paper: Night of Navy, Real Red, Whisper White
Ink: Night of Navy, Real Red, Whisper White Craft
Accessories: tylized Silver hodegepodge hardware (star brad), 1/2" circle punch, zigzag border punch by EK Success, large and small star punches, red striped ribbon by SU, pop-up glue dots

Tri-Fold Shutter

For any of you that have been following my blog for a while you will know that I LOVE funky folds!! Anything that makes a card a bit unexpected . . . well, the TLC on SCS Monday was right up my alley!! TLC211 was to create a trii-fold shutter card, and it is really MUCH easier than it looks!

Basically, you start with a piece of cardstock that is 12" by 5.5". THen, you score it along the 12" side at 2", 4", 8" and 10". With me so far? Using a ruler and an Xacto/utility knife, cut 1.5" inches from the top and bottom edges between the first score (at 2") and the last score (at 10"). After that, all you have to do is alternating according folds amongst the three sections have have cut and VOILA!! Then you can embellish and stamp like crazy!

This was almost a wedding card as it has something old (Porcelain Prints dsp), something new (Martha Stewart Butterflies - which are new at least to me!), something borrowed (I got the cardstock and dsp from Karen - imastampin) and something blue (Blue Bayou AND Not Quite Navy)! It also makes card #92 in my "Follow the Butterflies" challenge (again, see the sidebar to the right for more details). I will DEFINITELY be doing more of these tri-fold shutter cards in the future. Too-too fun!!

Here's a photo of the card closed . . . it was really fun trying to figure out what was going to "show" when it was closed and what was not.

Stamps: Upsy Daisy, All Holidays, Martha Stewart Butterflies
Paper: Blue Bayou, Not Quite Navy, Whisper White, Wild Wasabi, Porcelain Prints dsp
Ink: Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Scribbles/Swirls Sizzlet Die, white taffeta ribbon, Spellbinders Labels Four die (S4-190), EK Success Fluer de Lis border punch, sponge, pop-up glue dots

Go BYU!!!

This makes card #84 in my "Follow the Butterflies" challenge . . . (peek at the link on the sidebar to the right if you are clueless as to what I am talking about!)

This is really kind of a weird little card. I don't expect that everyone is going to want to run out and make one just like out (although I DID use the sketch for SC222 on SCS). I am sooo excited to finally have the Spellbinders Labels Four dies (the shape is just awesome!)!!! And I am really enjoying all of the EK Success border punches I bought on sale at Michael's a few weeks ago. This one is called "Zig Zag Stitched Border Punch". You kinda have to lean on it pretty hard to get the stitching to show up. It is more of an "emboss" than an actual cut. I like it, though.

Despite the dorkiness of this card, it DID take me quite a bit of time to put together. At least I know my son will like it!!

Stamps: Jumbo Outline Alphabet, Contempo Alphabet, Simple Serif Alphabet
Paper: Brocade Blue, Sahara Sand, Chocolate Chip, Night of Navy, Whisper White
Ink: Sahara Sand, Night of Navy
Accessories: Spellbinders Labels Four Nestabilities (S4-190), Martha Stewart 3-in-1 Butterfly Punch, EK Success Embossed Zig Zag Stitch border punch, Cuttlebug Tiny Mosaic embossing folder, BYU ribbon, glue dots

Thankful Silhouettes

I was really happy when the color challenge on SCS today - CC212 - was a combo I have already used a BUNCH and LOVE. It is the same color combo that SU used on the "Candy Lane" dsp - Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette and Riding Hood Red.

I think I will need to go to "Butterflies Anonymous" once my son returns from Germany . . . I seem to be drawn to all things butterfly-ish . . . this is another butterfly card that isn't even linked to my challenge! I still need to do a card for my son this week, but since I have already used this particular butterfly and sent it to him, I have to come up with something else!! Back to the drawing board (er, um STAMPIN' table!!)!

Have a great day!!

Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes
Paper: Chocolate Chip, PInk Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White, Candy Lane dsp
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red
Accessories: EK Success Fluer-de-Lys border punch, 5-petal flower punch, boho blossoms punch, scalloped oval and large and small oval punches, chocolate chip grosgrain ribbon, pop-up glue dots

They are TOOLS Not TOYS!!

I had a GREAT day last Friday! It was like Christmas AND my birthday! I got my order of fun new goodies (and they ARE tools, not toys!) from Stampin' Up (I had ordered a bunch of things to preview from the upcoming Occasions Mini catalog), I got two fun new Sizzix Bigz Pop-Up dies that I ordered from QVC (one of them is the pop-up ball that SU will be offering), a set of great vintage postmark stamps from Purple Onion, and a box of new dies (at least new to ME) from Spellbinders! Man, oh man . . . it was hard knowing where to start with everything as it was a bit overwhelming!!

The limited supply challenge on SCS Friday (LSC210) was to create a card, start to finish, in 30 minutes or less. WHAT??!!? I didn't even know that ANYone did this . . . EVER!! Seeing as I had so many new things to work with, I decided to accept the challenge. I actually accepted it THREE times!! I have NEVER done three cards on the same day for the same challenge! The first one was really hard to wrap my head around, but I just kept getting faster as the day went by!

This first one is also card #81 in my "Follow the Butterflies" challenge (see sidebar to the right for more info on that . . . there is a link to the card that started it all AND a slideshow of all of the butterflies I have created thus far). I knew, of course, that this butterfly die that I got from SU was going to be mine the minute I laid eyes on it. And this patterned paper (Good Morning Sunshine). Holy cow!! The colors TOTALLY speak to me! I also used one of the new EK Success border punches I picked up at Mike's last week for 30% off. LOVE 'em!!!!! I pushed this one right up to 30 minutes! Almost didn't make it!

Stamps: Sanded, Fundamental Phrases
Paper: So Saffron, Pacific Point, Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, Good Morning Sunshine dsp
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Bigs Beautiful Butterflies, EK Success Parisien border punch, small oval punch, satin ribbon, pop-up glue dots

On to card #2 . . . since I already had the butterfly die out, I decided it worked GREAT with the new Textured Impressions Manhattan Flower folder I got from SU. AND I used the new scalloped oval punch AND Oval All stamps that coordinate with it! Like I said before, I have new tools, baby!! You will see I used a lot of similar supplies on all three cards, as I was on a roll and the stuff out on my table kept getting used!

Stamps: Oval All
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Rose Red, Pink Pirouette, Bella Rose dsp, Good Morning Sunshine dsp
Ink: Regal Rose
Accessories: Bigs Beautiful Butterflies die, Textured Impressions Manhattan Flower, scalloped oval punch, chocolate chip taffeta ribbon, pearl stickers, pop-up glue dots

And last, but certainly not least, was the quickest card of all. I think I did this baby in just over 10 minutes (that included the "think about it" part, too!)! I'm pretty proud of myself!! I think this one would be GREAT for a workshop or class. Super quick and easy, yet beautiful and eye-catching!!

Stamps: Beautiful Borders (sentiment)
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Candy Lane dsp
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Accessories: large oval punch, scalloped oval punch, Manhattan Flower Textured Impressions folder, 5/8" satin chocolate ribbon, pop-up glue dots, sanding block

Love Medallions!

After having made a medallion for TLC193 (see November 4 post HERE, I have been itching to make another one with a more "snowy" theme. This is what I came up with when I used this week's color challenge (which, coincidentally enough, is CC193 - red, black and kraft) to incorporate the medallion technique. i still NEED to get me some more corner punches so I can try some other, different-looking medallions!

Looking at my supplies list below, I was amazed at how many different things I used to create this baby. i had NO clue I used so much to put it together (although, judging by the mess I left behind, I shoulda clued in!)!!

Weekend's almost here, so enjoy it and go stamp somethin'!!

Stamps: Holiday Woodcuts (for sentiment)
Paper: Basic Black, Kraft, Real Red, Shimmery White, Diamond Dust White (snowflakes)
Ink: Basic Black, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust, Lovely Lilac, Night of Navy
Accessories: Spellbinders Large Standard Circle and Large Classic Scallop Circle Nestabilities (S4114 and S4124), EK Success Interlaced Corner Adorner punch, Emaginations Snowflake Punch, 1 1/4" and 1" circle punches, Marvy jumbo and extra jumbo snowflake punches, Cuttlebug Snowflakes embossing folder, pop-up glue dots, 5/8" red organza ribbon, white silver-edged organza ribbon

Amazing Circle Medallion

Ya ever see something every once in a while that just makes your jaw drop and the word "WOW!" come out of your mouth??? This circle medallion totally did that to me. Lynn (Lynn in St. Louis) hosted TLC193 and showed us this amazing fun technique. Here is a link to the medallion creator, the amazing Becca Stamps. She did a really great tutorial on it:

Becca's Medallion Tutorial

Another thanks to Lynn, 'cause I went to, YES - count 'em!, THREE different craft stores in order to find a corner punch that I could use for this technique! Jeesh!!!

I love having a new way to use my Nesabilities as well! This technique ROCKS!! I'll definitely be using it again!!

Stamps: Dotted Autumn
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Really Rust, Close to Cocoa, Very Vanilla, More Mustard, Baja Breeze, Autumn Vine dsp
Ink: Really Rust, Chocolate Chip craft
Accessories: Spellbnders Nestabilities Classic Scallop Circle (Large) - S4124, and Standard Circle (Large) S4114, EK Success Interlaced corner adorner punch, Cuttlebug Leafy Branch embossing folder, Marvy maple leaf punch, 1 3/8" and 1 1/4" circle punch, Alpine felt ribbon, pop-up glue dots